I got one. I had a d&v bug while in labour. Nice. However, this meant I gave birth in the examination room as dd2 arrived very speedily so not a route I would recommend.

In our hospital they are usually reserved for those that need it most, such as sections, or where things haven't gone as smoothly as they could have. But if there was one free you could have it and pay on the day I think.

I have been told similar regarding my local hospital. They are known as 'amenity rooms' and it would be a case of requesting one at the time (rather than in advance) and getting one only if it was available (and paying for it). Haven't given birth yet so haven't been able to test this out!

Hi. I'd asked for one and was prepared to pay for it. I got it (the only one with an en suite, thank god) and was so grateful, especially as I was there for a few days after an awful birth and couldn't walk. From the stories I heard about the ward it sounded awful.

We never paid for it though - we were in such a rush to leave they never mentioned it. I thought they'd send a bill or ask when we had to go back in with jaundiced DS two days later but they never said anything. I thought it was perhaps because they were partly responsible for my condition after letting me keep pushing for 3-4 hours.

We have the option of this, if a room is free (it isn't always) - £70 a night or so. Can't book in advance, so I might see what the ward is like first and upgrade if I'm sharing with anyone particularly irritating I did get a side room with ensuite just by chance when I was recently admitted and I liked the privacy, although some people might have felt isolated.

If they have one free you can ask for one. I had one en suite as I had twins and couldn't fit them both in ward cubicle. Also before that when they were in special care. Someone else had one had a baby who Was born with some problems and needed an operation. Priorities were sick babies, sick mothers, multiple births. That is why you can't book, they can't know if advance what availability they may have. Take sleepin mask and map plugs . Wards are bright and noisy. I used them even in own room.

I got one, husband offered to pay but midwife said it wasnt necessary. Having stayed on a ward i can say i loved the private room. Had my own shower and loo, and it was lovely eating choccy raisins at 1am, reading heat when i was wide awake on adrenaline after the birth!

I was on the ward for 3 days, and then got transferred (at my request) to a private room as soon as it became available. I was quite poorly after having DS, and wasn't getting any sleep at all really. We had to pay about £110 per night. Was worth every single penny. I ended up being in for 8 nights in total, so was expensive. You may not need/want one, but I would advise informing the midwife on duty that you request one so that you can be put on the list.

Can I ask, if you pay between 70 and 100 pound per 24 hours fr an amenity room, what do u expect to beDifferent fr being in a normal room?? U don't get different care, visiting is the same, partner isn't allowed to stay!! I'm just wondering what makes being in your own company worth that money???? Don't tell me it's because babies cry in other rooms.... Babies cry so what?

MrsL, because it will be quieter, your partner can stay longer, you sometimes get a telly, you don't have to try and sleep while other women on the ward have a light on or are talking on their phone... quite obvious, really? And yes, babies cry, but you might get a chance of actually sleeping in your own room. If you have to stay in for more than 1 night a private room would be a godsend. I would have given my left arm for a private room, but they were all being used. Instead I had to share a ward for 5 nights with other mums with babies while mine was in SCBU, which was just charming.

Our local hospital partners do not stay and rooms are priority to scbu thn amenity! So no not quite obvious if u ask me! People choose to have baby in Nhs hospital everyone should be treated the same!!! Sometimes due to capacity your lucky to get the ingle room!! No not telly just ensuite nothing luxurious about it! I'm sorry you had to share room with babies that I would find unacceptable

At my (NHS) hospital, UCH, the normal private rooms - 'amenity' rooms - are en-suite and have tv and a bed for partners and are £200 or £250, can't recall. They also have 'amenity plus' rooms which are £500! Not sure what makes them more... It is central London, but still... slightly crazy prices and you can't book in advance. They are nice enough and the hospital is new, but nothing more than side rooms on general ward (I used to work at the hospital and have seen usual rooms).

I am due in a couple of weeks and as am GBS+ my baby will have to be monitored for 12 hours anyway, regardless of how delivery goes. One night (in one of the cheaper rooms) could be a saviour - I love the idea of DH staying, as does he, and according to friends the post-natal ward is pretty grim - noise, lack of bathroom, general visitor chaos.

By the time I went into the private room I had had maybe 6 hours sleep in the previous 5 days. I was in labour without sleeping for 48 hours then kept awake after having him for another night as i was poorly then had two nights on the ward after a crash section. I was hallucinating with tiredness, and the other people on the ward were not considerate. Think picnics at 2.30am, shouted phone conversations all day and night, arguments with their partners etc etc etc. babies crying, I could cope with, normal hospital noise, I could cope with. Inconsiderate selfish other people? No thanks. If I had had a straightforward delivery and was going to be in one night, ward absolutely fine. In my circumstances, I would pay for a room every time. As is my right.